A new report by economic experts Oxford Economics (OE), commissioned by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), has found that the beer and pub industry in Britain employs almost 900,000 people, and contributes £23.1 billion to the British economy.

The data finds that the brewing industry sustains over 100,000 jobs. Almost 800,000 jobs are supported by over 49,000 pubs across Britain, which has increased by 29,000 since the last OE report for the BBPA.

It also finds that capital investment in brewing and pubs has risen to £2 billion, up from £1.2 billion the previous year.

The report also finds that the industry pays £12.6 billion in tax, which the BBPA argues is enough evidence for further reductions in beer duty in the Budget.

Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive, said: “Our sector supports almost 900,000 vital jobs, and it is particularly important that we can go on boosting employment, especially for younger people, which is why the BBPA is calling for a further cut in beer duty in the Budget.

“Three historic beer duty cuts since 2013 have brought huge benefits, created jobs and encouraged investment, but our rate of duty is still many times higher than that of our neighbouring countries.

“As we leave the European Union, we need a tax system that encourages investment more than ever before, and we will be working hard to encourage the Government to secure further reductions on 8th March.”

The BBPA is a body that represents Britain's brewers and pub companies.